The Pete Ellman Big Band was formed in 2009 after Pete retired from the 566th Air Force Band. Since then, the band has played regularly in and around Chicago. They regularly invite student jazz ensembles to join them and will provide members of the band as guest clinicians, giving these budding musicians a gig-like environment playing the music they love. The band has had many jazz greats join them including Wayne Bergeron, Jeff Coffin, Wycliffe Gordon, John Fedchock, Peter Erskine, Louis Dowdeswell, Grace Kelly, Vincent Gardner, Alexa Tarantino, Eric Marienthal, Andy Martin, Mark Colby, Bobby Shew, Dan Fornero, Eric Miyashiro, and many more…
Additionally, the Pete Ellman Big Band has hosted numerous fundraisers at their events to help raise money for local non-profits such as Loaves & Fishes, Toys for Tots, Kids Matter, Kidz Cabaret, Youth Symphony of DuPage, Naperville Educational Foundation, Gil Ellman Memorial Fund, and more! To Pete, it is all about giving back to the community to help kids, in general, and also to give kids an opportunity to participate in the arts. In 2015 Pete started the Naperville Big Band Jazz Festival.
Pete has performed with nationally known artists such as Wayne Newton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aretha Franklin, Bob Newhart, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Kurt Elling, Steve Allen, and many more. Being a trumpet player, Pete’s favorite artists to date have been world renowned trumpeters Wayne Bergeron and Clark Terry.
“For Pete’s Ache” has been a labor of love for Pete. He is very excited to share this with jazz enthusiasts the world over. The album features numerous original compositions and a few new arrangements of wonderful jazz standards. Check out “High Speed Pursuit,” a detective type noir song with high energy and suspense adapted from a marching band field show by Dan Moore. The title song “For Pete’s Ache” is a theme song style chart that allows the band to vamp for intros ala “Johnny’s Theme” for The Tonight Show. “Livin’ Larger than Life” written by Alan Baylock (former arranger for the Airmen of Note) features a 12/8 Afro Cuban groove. For Ellington lovers, check out “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing,” a Latin arrangement of the standard featuring Rich Clark on vocals and Roger Ingram screaming double C’s on the end. “For Pete’s Ache” has something for everyone, from ballads to barn burners. Enjoy the big band sounds of the Pete
Ellman Big Band.
CREDITS:
- High Speed Pursuit – 4:03
Composed & Arranged by Daniel Moore
Steve Schnall – Alto Sax 1 (Solo)
Ian Nevins – Tenor Sax 1 (Solo)
David Katz – Trumpet 2 (Solo)
Andy Baker Trombone (Solo)
- When Lights Are Low – 4:22
Composed – Benny Carter
Arranged – Ted Hogarth
Ted Hogarth – Baritone Sax (Solo) Featured
- For Pete’s Ache 3:58
Composed and Arranged by Daniel Moore
Andy Baker Trombone (Solo)
Larry Harris – Piano (Solo)
Aaron Krueger – Guitar (Solo)
- Soon It’s Gonna Rain 5:30
Composed – Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt
David Katz – Trumpet 2 (Featured Solo)
- It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing 4:35
Composed – Duke Ellington
Arranged – Matt Harris
Ian Nevins – Tenor Sax 1 (Solo)
David Katz – Trumpet 2 (Solo)
Andy Baker Trombone (Solo)
- Home Sweet Home 5:31
Composed – Henry Bishop & John Payne
Arranged – Daniel Moore
Ian Letts – Alto Sax 1 (Solo)
David Katz – Trumpet 2 (Featured Solo)
Larry Harris – Piano (Solo)
Aaron Krueger – Guitar (Solo)
- Manteca the “A” Train 5:15
Composers – Dizzy Gillespe, Chano Pozo, Gil Fuller, Billy Strayhorn
Arranged by Danieal Moore
Craig Roselieb – Alto Sax 2 (Solo)
Ted Hogarth – Baritone Sax (Solo)
David Katz – Trumpet 2 (Solo)
Andy Baker – Trombone (Solo)
Larry Harris – Piano (Solo)
Aaron Krueger – Guitar (Solo)
- Tenor Sanity 3:30
Composed and Arranged by Daniel Moore
Ian Letts – Tenor Sax 2 (Solo)
- Dos Cinco Juan (Two Five One) 4:50
Composed and Arranged by Daniel Moore
Ian Nevins – Tenor Sax 1 (Solo)
David Katz – Trumpet 2 (Solo)
Andy Baker Trombone (Solo)
- The Adventures of Snooky and Bumbles 4:44
Compose and Arranged by Daniel Moore
Steve Schnall – Alto Sax 1 (Solo)
David Katz – Trumpet 2 (Solo)
Larry Harris – Piano (Solo)
- Livin’ Larger Than Life 5:50
Composed and Arranged by Alan Baylock
Steve Schnall – Alto Sax 1 (Featured Solo)
Larry Harris – Piano (Solo)
Produced by Peter Ellman
Recorded by Jim Massoth
Recorded at Electrical Audio
Recording dates January 2 & 3, 2020
Mixed by Jim Massoth – Peter Ellman & Roger Ingram
Mixed at – Crystall Recorders Studios
Mastered by – Brian Schwab
Musical Directors Daniel Moore & Bryan Miller
Photos by Robin Roberts